Juvenile Justice YDS III, Shift Administrator, Sharp Transition

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking a dynamic, positive, and service-minded individual to fill the role of Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist, Shift Administrator (JJYDS III) at the Sharp Transition program located at 363 Belmont Street, Worcester, MA 01604.  The selected candidate will work with juvenile justice-involved young people ages 12 – 20 years old (most of the youth served are 14 to 18 years old) in DYS residential facilities. 

The selected candidate performs various care and security activities in connection with young people in the custody of the Department of Youth Services.  They will observe the conduct and behavior of juveniles assigned to the facility; maintain liaison with staff members, law enforcement agencies, professional specialists, and others. They serve as a part of a team to provide guidance and direction to the JJYDS and JJYDS Shift Supervisors and supervise the operations of assigned shifts.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Ensure proper security, control, and supervision of shift as well as all unit policies, rules, and regulations are followed.

• Supervise up to six (6) direct-report staff as well as direct the activities of staff and residents, plan activities, and coordinate resources.

• Act as a liaison for communication of any concerns or problems from direct reports up through the chain of command

• Maintain custodial care and control of youth to uphold order and security within the facility; ensure the security of staff and youth by making periodic rounds, head counts and security checks and searches of youth and visitors to make certain all youth are accounted for and to ensure that weapons and contraband are not on the premise.

• Observe the conduct and behavior of youth confined to the facility and take appropriate action to prevent disturbances and/or escapes, to ensure compliance with established policies, regulations, and procedures and to ensure the safety of staff and youth; provide one-to-one youth watch, including suicide, elevated and medical watch to ensure the safety of the youth.

• Conduct intake of youth and complete appropriate documentation; document behavioral issues to establish patterns and monitor changes; complete incident reports and transportation, medical, visitor, and daily operations logs to inform appropriate personnel during meetings and shift changes.

• Provide crisis and behavior management to youth as a means to prevent and or intercede with crisis situations; facilitate and/or co-facilitate group meetings to assist the youth in developing coping skills to deal with their problems and issues and to develop pro-social and life skills; establish a rapport with the youth and advocate for the youth to ensure that their needs are being met; provide guidance and support through daily interaction and role modeling in order to facilitate re-entry into the community.

• Perform and oversee various care activities of youth in custody of the agency such as escorting and/or transporting them to activities, the recreational areas, meetings, and medical appointments; participate in activities to maintain order and security of the assigned facility and to monitor participation.

• Maintain electronic records/documents regarding th